The Hornopiren National Park is managed by CONAF, the Chilean National Parks and Wildlife Service, and was created in 1988 having an extension of 48,232 hectares. It is located to the east of Hornopiren town, in Southern Chile, where its administration office is. Location: The town of Hornopiren is located in Hualaihue county, Palena province, Region of The Lakes.

versión en español   Photo: José L. Urrutia / CONAF

Its main access is through the Austral Road from Puerto Montt, the capital city of both the Region and the Llanquihue province. It takes some 3 hours to get there by driving 107 Km in paved at first then gravelly surface, including the crossing over Reloncavi Estuary between La Arena cove (Llanquihue province) and Puelche (Palena province) on a ferry boat.

There are two bus companies that travel between Puerto Montt and Hornopiren. Buses might take up to 5 hours to reach destination as they take on and drop off people at certain posts along the way.

The Park’s administration office’s address in Hornopiren town is Lib. Bernardo O’Higgins s/n by the central square where the one and only official access way to the Hornopiren NP begins. Half of the way can be driven in; the other half must be walked. The first half follows the main gravelly public road Lib. Bernardo O’Higgins towards the North 11 Km until the end of this at Caqueihua Alto village, which takes some 20 minutes on a 4WD vehicle. Then there is a 7 Km rough path that crosses over 4 private lands on its way to the National Park’s entrance where a massive wooden sign welcomes the visitor.

Climate:

Rainy temperate, mountaineering and ice climates can be distinguished in the Park, according to the observation zone. Abundant rain predominates in the recreational areas where the average annual precipitation reaches 2500 mm (being able to overpass 4000 mm). The mean temperature fluctuates between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius, having 50 to 150 frosty days per year, even in summer. The air relative humidity is constant at the coast, being superior to 80%.

Due to the heavy accumulation of snow and ice (over one meter thick) at the recreational areas during winter and spring, the Park is normally closed to the general public between July and November for safety concerns.

Geography:

The Park forms part of The Andes Mountain Range and its geography that is characterized by high sharp mountains and deep river valleys has been molded by intense volcanic and glacial activity (Higher Pleistocene - Holocene period). Within the Park there are 22,000 ha of glaciers, snow-caped mountains and volcanoes. Amongst the latter it’s possible to observe Yates (2187 meters above sea level) and Hornopiren (1572 m.a.s.l.) volcanoes. The most magnificent view of the mountain region and forests of the Park plus the whole lake Pinto Concha and even the fiord of Hornopiren can be sighted at Yates volcano’s southern lap.

Hydrology:

There are three lakes and six major rivers within the Park. These are El Cabro lagoon (155 hectares) and lakes Inexplorado (150 ha) and Pinto Concha (475 ha), the latter being the Park’s most visited attraction. This lake’s water level rises considerably during winter due to the abundant rain that characterizes this season, but it also rises in summer due to the thawing of the surrounding high mountains’ snow.

The rivers are Río Negro, R. Blanco, R. Traidor, R. Esperanza, R. Del Este and R. Mariquita. R. Negro is born at the lake Pinto Concha by means of underground drainage and goes 19 Km until reaching the Hornopiren fiord. R. Blanco’s catchment area is the biggest (26000 ha) and includes most of the Park’s higher mountains (above 2,000 meters of altitude).

Photo: Gabriela Navarro

Wild flora: There is a representative sample of communities’ variety forming the temperate rainy ecosystems of southern Chile, the Park’s main forest types being: Alerce or Larch (Fitzroya cupressoides) 10,000 ha, Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) 6000 ha, Coigüe de Magallanes (N. betuloides) 3000 ha and Evergreen (several species) 4000 ha.

Alerce (larch) was declared National Monument in 1976 and since is protected by Law (Supreme Decree N° 490) which forbids the exploitation of living specimens yet allows the commercial utilization of dead trees under the strict control by the State (CONAF).

Wild fauna:

Hornopiren National Park is considered to be home to 25 species of mammals, 123 birds, 9 amphibians and 1 reptilian. Amongst them all 18 are classified as endangered. Since the Park management is relatively new, there is still a great opportunity for making the lists more accurate and complete through scientific research. Amongst the larger animals that have been watched by visitors are Puma (Puma concolor), Pudú (Pudu pudu), “Chilla” fox (Pseudalopex griseus), Magellanic woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) and many other birds.

Facilities:

There is one office-lodge inside the Park for the exclusive use of the Park ranger (CONAF staff). It is located at the lake Pinto Concha’s southwest edge and operates during January and February (summer months). The office offers information, advice and help to visitors on any aspect related to their stay in Hornopiren National Park.

Although there are no facilities for recreational use yet, the most extreme visitors may stay camping at a cleared area nearby the ranger’s lodge which has got tables and benches. Visitors willing to do so should be aware that they won’t find no camping facilities (such as toilets, BBQ places or tap water).

Walking paths: Within the Park there are two official paths which are regularly watched over and maintained by CONAF. The first one begins at the welcoming sign and goes 2.9 Km (1 hour) through millenary larch forest to the lake Pinto Concha’s southwest edge at 950 meters above the sea level.

Photo: Gabriela Navarro

The second path starts at this point and goes up 3.6 Km (2 hours) across forests of larch and lenga to the Yates volcano’s southern lap at 1500 meters of altitude from where a magnificent landscape of snowy mountains, native forests and lakes can be observed. This spot can be reached during summer (December to March) without sophisticate mountain gear and therefore it can be enjoyed by any fit willing visitor.

Both paths share similar characteristics having low to medium slope and being predominantly made of bituminous soil although the higher half of the Yates volcano’s path is made of rocky lava soil. This makes them to be extenuating and a bit risky. In order to be considered fully safe to average visitors both paths still need some improvements (such as stairs, handles, bush clearing). Therefore both paths are currently recommended for fit and experienced trekkers only.

It is important to consider that, for safety reasons, only the official paths are suitable for ingoing and hiking the Park. Therefore, it is prohibited for the general public to utilize other trails or to visit other Park’s sectors not having official access.

Recreational activities:

Instructions:

• Get registered in the Park’s visitors’ book and inform CONAF staff about your program of activities at the ranger’s lodge or as requested anytime.
• Do not set a campfire as it’s strictly forbidden within the Park and up to 2 Km outside.
• Take your garbage back with you as there are no trash bins within the Park.
• Obey CONAF staff’s safety instructions at anytime and follow any other general directions regarding Chilean Protected Wilderness Areas.